Tag Archives: cross

“Jesus said to the crowd, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it’.” — Luke 9:23-25

Jesus said, “Take up your cross daily.” I wonder how many truly know it means? It is obviously important for Jesus said it is something we must do if we are to be counted among His followers.

We know it is a serious matter, for in Matthew 10 Jesus equates loving father or mother, son or daughter more than Him as a failure to take up our cross.

We know that many are confused about the meaning for it is not unusual to hear someone or something being referred to as one’s, “cross to bear.” But that is not what Jesus means.

Your aunt Tillie, your boss or poor health is not your cross to bear.

To understand what Jesus means, we must see what it meant for Him to take up His cross.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, prior to His crucifixion, Jesus cried out, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me.” That night Jesus faced a test like none he had faced before.

Something in his humanity desperately wanted to avoid the cross…not simply because it was humiliating and excruciatingly painful, but because

He knew the ramification of having the sins of the world laid upon Him who knew no sin.

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